Janet Doreen Sanders

2025. She was 85 years old.

Born in Tacoma, Washington, on December 5, 1939, Janet arrived 11 minutes ahead of her twin brother, James "Jim" Lamb. The twins and their older siblings, David and Virginia, were raised by their parents, Bernadine and Charles Lamb. An outgoing and independent child, Janet's curiosity led her to knock on doors in her new neighborhood at age five, introducing herself and asking if there were any children she could play with. She maintained close friendships from her youth throughout her life.

At age seventeen, Janet graduated from Lincoln HS in Tacoma and went off to Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. Here she met a group of lifelong friends who held annual reunions through the years. It was also at Lewis & Clark that she met Bob Steed. They married in 1960 and had two children, Richard "Rick" and Rebecca "Becky." After 13 years, their marriage ended, but their children remained the center of her life.

Janet and her children moved to Seattle in 1975, where she built a successful career at the phone company. She had a competitive and adventurous spirit, which she expressed through many hobbies, including competitive Bridge, bowling leagues, painting, and sailing. A true Pacific Northwest outdoorsperson, Janet loved camping, backpacking, hiking, clam digging, and fishing. She took her children on countless adventures, from Ocean Shores to Mt. Rainier, where she had spent her summers working during college.

Janet's curiosity extended to travel. She explored the world, both independently and with friends. After retiring, she sold her house and bought an RV, spending ten years driving across the U.S. and Canada. Her travels led her to her second husband, Bob Sanders, whom she married in 2001. They shared their time between Buckeye, Arizona, and Olympia, Washington, until Bob’s death from cancer.

In her later years, Janet lived in Vancouver, Tacoma, and eventually Longview, Washington, to be closer to her family. She cherished time with her son, Rick Steed, his wife Clarise, and their son Owen in Seattle, and her daughter Rebecca “Becky” Sturges, her husband Jeff, and their children Annika and Zachary in Portland. During this time, she also had a special friend, Bruce Hunter. They spent time in Arizona, fished, attended jazz concerts, and enjoyed being with family and friends.

In the final years of her life, Janet faced the challenges of Alzheimer's with fierce determination, wanting to remain independent for as long as she could. She died knowing she was loved by her friends and family. Janet was one-of-a-kind: friendly, spirited, smart, unapologetic, and capable. The world is a better place because she was in it.